Power-control mechanism



Oct. 7, 19.30. H. c. MILLER POWER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed July 26, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l W to: jlisiz ry CZ Miller Oct. 7, 1930. H. c. MILLER POWER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Ju1y26.- 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 thereof Patented Oct. 7, i 1930,.

UNITED 1 STATES] P TEN QFFICE HENRY cJMILLEn, or WATERFORD; NEW ORK rownngc'onrn or MECHANISM Application filed iul 265, 1922. se -m; 577,713.

This invention relates to an improvement in power-control means'designedinore or less particularly in connection with sewing 1na chines and adapted under predetermlned" or unusual conditions of any part or part-s ot the sewing inachine mechanism to utilize the power'through whichthe machine proper s operated as ameans forcontrolling the sewing machine mechanism Jora specified part In idi f r thecperatiOn of a series ofmachines, assewingmachines there is a continuously operated. power shaftfor mechsimilarly chines. g 1

i The mainobject of the present invention therefore is the-provision" of "an individual power control means set in motion or opera-- tion under a'predete'rmined condition of the individual machine and operating as a re anism from and by which the respective sewing machines are operated. "As these sewing machines are individuahit is ofcourse ap -v parent that it is advisable to automatically control these individual machines without affecting the" other sewing masult of that predetermined condition to control the mechanism, either starting orIstop ping the same of the particular machine;

The invention more specifically comprehends a continuously operated power driven element, with which is connected for a'yielding rotative movement, what may be termed a trigger wheelj There is also mounted for co-axial rotation with the power wheel, an independent gear element normally idle and in position to beengaged by a trigger car ried by the power element. The trigger wheel is adapted through suitable sewing machine mechanism to be given a relative movement w th respect to'thepower element, and the trigger carried by the power element is so mounted with relation to the trigger wheel that in thisrelative movement, the trigger lS-LEOICQd. into engagement with the gear element, Thusthe geareelement is connected to and operatedby the power element and the mechanism of thesewing machineto be controlled is operated directly: as aresult of the movement of this'gear element.

and the sewingmachine mechanism;

element, preferably in the form of a; wheel springs 6 are to be of suificient tensionto hold The invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings inwhichi 1 1s a perspectiveview illustrating "applicationof the improvement to a sewing 'machine, the improved power control being here governed through a threadimperfection detector, and adapted in automatic operation to cut oil the connection between thepo'wer Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken elevation showing the power element and trigger'wheel.

Fig. {3 is a vertical section through the control mechanism. i i Fig. 4 is a broken perspective showing, the

trigger control movement through? the relative movement ofthe triggenwheel and power element. J Fig. 5 is an elevation, of the clutch and braking means of conventional type used with the mechanism. The improvedpower control is hereshown as involving a continuously operated power 1, mounted 'upon a frame carriedcstub shaft 2 and driven from the continuously operated power'shaft through a belt (not shown) 00- operating with the belt groove 3 in the power wheel. Mounted for rotation upon a reduced ianism, as, will later appear.

Mounted'upon 'a reducedIportion of the stub shaft 2, is a gear wheel 7 theperipheral teeth 8 of which are positioned to be engaged by the nose 9 of a trigger 1O pivotally mounted upon a pin 11 projecting from one of the l spokesof the powerelement 1. Thetrigger has an offset lug 12 adapted to seat'in a recess 13in the trigger wheelfi. i

i With direct reference to the power control 7 mechanism, it will be apparent that the the trigger wheel and power wheel in such rotative relation that the nose 9 of the trigger 10 will be held above or beyond the path of the teeth 8 of the gear wheel 7. If however, relative movement is produced between the power wheel and trigger wheel, as for example, by slightly retarding the movement of the trigger wheel, the walls of the slot 13 in said trigger wheel will depress the nose 9 of the pawl and cause the latter to engage the teeth of the gear wheel, whereupon the gear wheel will be in effect locked to the power element, and will be driven by the latter, through the trigger 10.

For convenience, and in order that the operation of the power control element might be made more plain through a specific application thereof, such power element is here shown as associated with a thread knot detector. hile the present application will contain claims directed to this combination, it is nevertheless to be understood that the broad invention here involved is in the power control means, and that the use of this means is contemplated for various purposes in connection with sewing machines and similar mechanisms.

In the use of the power control means in connection with the thread detector, there is provided an upright 1% supported upon the bed plate 15 of the particular sewing ma chine and having spaced arms 16 at the upper end, from which project ordinary guides 17 for the threads 18 leading to the multiple thread sewing machine 19. A sleeve member 20 is pivotally supported upon the upright 14 and carries an upstanding rod 21 on the upper end of which is secured a transverse bar 22 having a plurality of upstanding thread guides The guides 23 are formed w'th openings 2-1 to permit the passage of the thread therethrough so long as said thread is in normal condition, but in the event of a knot or other imperfection in the thread, these thread guides and therefore the sleeve 20 will be swung on their pivotal support. A rod 25 depends from the sleeve 20 and carries an adjustable weight 26, this weight being of course of a character to maintain the thread guides 23 normally upright and yet permit their swinging under the influence of a thread imperfection. An angle lever 27 is pivotally supported upon the upright 14 with the free arm 28 in the path of the weight 26. The opposite arm 29 of the lever is adjustably connected to a rod 30, which rod through a spring 3 1 is connected to a flexible connector or belt 32, which passes around the trigger wheel in a peripheral groove 33 therein with its opposits terminal connected to an eye member 31 secured to the bed plate 15.

N ow in the event of a thread imperfection, the weighted rod 25'is moved to engage the free arm 28 of the lever 27 The opposite arm of said lever is thereby elevated, tightening the belt 32 about the trigger wheel and mo mentarily interfering with the free rotation of the trigger wheel and power element incident to the pull of the springs 6. This causes a sufficient relative movement between the power element and trigger wheel to trip the trigger 10 and cause said trigger to engage and thereby fix the gear wheel 8 for rotation with and directly by the power element.

This movement of the gear wheel is utilized in the previous arrangement to stop the machine, and to accomplish this result, there is shown conventionally at 35 a brake means 36 and aclutch means 37 mounted on a power driven shaft, whereby in the operation 'of the lever 38 connected to these means, the

power to the machine 19 is cut oil. A spring 39'normally influences the lever 38 in a di; rection to release the clutch and apply the brakes tocut off the power to the sewing machine. These details are all of ordinary type and of commonusage in this art. A pedal bar 40 mounted for control by the operator through a pedal 41 is guided at its upper end in a frame guide 4 2 an d provided with an offset or shoulder 43'to engage over the end of lever 38, a spring 44 normally maintainin this engagement. Thus the operator by suitably operating the pedal 41 may so control the lever 38 as to governthe appli cation of power to the sewing machine 19 as in ordinary practice. The automatic control mechanism however, is adapted to govern this connection between the rod l0 and lever 88 to release the stop and start mechanism 35 for stopping operation without regard to control by the operator. For this purpose, the gear wheel 7 is provided with a stud 45, on which is supported a bar 46. This bar extends through a frame guide at? with its free end in alignment with the bar 40. A spring 48 is connected to the stud 45 and to a fixed part of the frame structure.

lVith the described relative movement between the power element and tri ger wheel, it is apparent that the gear wheel will be rotated to project the bar 46. The end of this bar engages the bar 40 and forces the same laterally to free the lever 38. The spring then thereupon releases the clutch and sets the brakes to stop power transmission to the machine 19. Of course the relative movement of the trigger wheel is momentary, but the subsequent engagement of the trigger and gear wheel under the influence of the power element maintains this connection for a portion of a revolution of the gear wheel, not withstanding the momentary retardation of the trigger wheel and its immediate release from such retardation. When the gear wheel has reached a point where the spring 48 is acting reversely from the power element with respect to the cooperation" of the gear of the trigger and gear teeth. the power strain on the trigger is relieved by the relatively Op sirable that the thread.imperfection detector posite tendencyotlthe gear wheel. Thus, the friction between the trigger and gear wheel is relieved, the springs act toj'niove the trigger wheel to its normal position with respect to the power element, and the wall of the recess 13 immediately raises the trigger from cooperation with thegear wheel, and the parts are reset for normal'turther movement u In connection with thespecific application of the control mechanism here shown, it is da include ineanst'o avoidany strain or! tension on the thread" through the useof such detector. There is providedxsuch means through a transverse ba-r A9,; which underlies the threads immediately adjacent the thread detecting guides 23 and between said guides and the source ofithread supply. ,This bar 49 which is a bend orii ht'angl'e of rod 50 passes through a guide 51 on the upright 14;, the lower: end of the rod being connected to a lever 52 pivotally supported at 58 on the up rightand connected by a pitman 54 with the "stud 4501? the gearnwheelfi Thus, immedis ately the power control is set in movement, the bar 49 is elevated and the threads raised from the thread: guides 23;. Thus, the imperfection, havingservedits purpose ofstopping tlie n achine 1 9,,is permitted to pass onwardly for a short distance, andfwithout being so retarded by the thread guide 23 l ,as tocauseany or very little strain orten= through predetermined condition of mechasion onthe particular thread; As previously stated, filllSlIlVQIltlQItlS rooted to a power control means, which anism may be automatically utilized for controlling the; mechanism" of sewing inachines andsimilar apparatus. Its cooperation herein with a thread detector, while forming the subject matter of claimsherein,

is merely an incident of the use of such power control means, and it isto be expressely understood that the claims, herein directed to the power control means per so are designed to protect" such means in any and all uses to which it maybe applied for the automatic control ofpower, driven, mechanism under predetermined, conditions in such mechanism. It will beunderstood that the sewing machine'19 is merely shown conventionally in order to indicate a comp'lete'apparatus. o'peratively arranged, the sewing end of the armwotthe machine wouldbe substantially abet 5e thepedal ilfitor the convenience of-the operator, and'thereversedand on? set rela tion illustrated is merely with a view to avoi ding a eontusioninthe drawing, which would result itthe sewing machine were shown in its proper relation.

Claims:

1. In a control for power operated machines, a continuouslyoperated power eleinent, mechanism foroperating the power opnormal relation to the parts.

erated machine, a pawl adapted in operative position to connect the power element and such mechanism, means for moving said pawl to operative position, and means for automatically moving the pawl to inoperative i7 position to disconnect said power element and -inechanism, said last mentioned means serving to subsequently position the pawl n *2. Ina control for power therewith, one of saidparts being continuousoperated independentlyof the operationof themachine, the otherof said parts'being connected with mechanism for the operative con t trol of said. machine, means whereby said i be operatively connected, and means for automatically disconnecting said parts ,following a predetermined connected movement, said last mentioned means serving 5 to thereafter position the parts in normal relation for subsequent action,

73h Ina power control for sewing machines,

a continuously driven power element, a normally free toothed element adjacent v be operated by said toothed element," a

grooved element ounted acent the power element and having a yielding driving connection therewith, a member "carriedjby the 135 power element to be operated bythe grooved element and adapted when operated toei means cooperating with said frictionally governed element to disturb the normal relation of said frictionally governed element and continuously revolving element, a power governing operatingnieans arranged adjacent the continuously ,revolving element, and means to connect said continuously revolving (element and said operating means when the frictionally governed element is controlledby said friction means.

5. In a power control for sewing machines,

a continuously driven power elementfa trigger ,wheel, means arranged for a limited re" tardat on relative to thelpower element, a

normally idle element adaptedin operation 1 5 to actuate machine connecting means, and a trigger carried by said power element and operated to engage said normally idle element when the trigger wheel is retarded rel-v atively to the power wheel, and means for i V operated m l W ,chines, a toothedwheel, a pawl to cooperate the 25 "power element, power governing means to ioo,

iis

applying resistance to said trigger wheel to retard said wheel relative to the power element.

6. A continuously driven power element, a normally idle element, connections between said idle element and sewing machine actuating mechanisms, frictional means, and connecting means carried by said power element to engage and operate the idle element following operation of said friction means, said connecting means automatically releasing the idle element following a predetermined movement of the latter, said connecting means being positioned for further operation with respect to the idle element following release of the idle element.

7. In a power control for sewing machines a continuously revolving power element, a rotary trigger wheel, a normally idle element, connections whereby said idle element may govern the power to the sewing machine, means mounted on the power element to engage and operate the idle element when resistance is applied to the trigger wheel, said idle element operating said connections during the movement of such connections in resistance to the power element, said means releasing such idle element for movement to normal position immediately succeeding such resistance and within a cycle of movement of the idle element.

8. In a power control for sewing machines, a continuously-driven power element, a sec ondary power element operative to control the sewing machine operating mechanism, a trigger wheel having operating connection with the continuously driven power element but capable of independent relative movement, and means actuated in the relative movement of the trigger wheel element to connect the continuously-driven and secondary power elements to operate the latter in the movement of the former and thereby govern the sewing machine operating mecha nism, said connecting means maintaining the connection between such power elements during working movement of the secondary power element and being automatically operated to disconnect said power elements immediately following such working movement.

9. The combination with a thread imperfectionrdetecting mechanism of a power control means for stopping the operation of the machine in the actuation of the thread detector, said power control means including a power driven element, a normally idle element, a. connection between said element and stop and start mechanism for the machine, a frictionally governed element normally operative with the power element and adapted for a yielding relative movement thereto under friction restraining means, means operated by the frictionally governed means when frictionally restrained to'connect the power element and idle element for simultaneous movement, and means operated in the actuation of the thread detector to frictionally restrain the frictionally governed element.

10. A power control means for sewing machines, including a continuously operated power element, an idle gear element, stop and start mechanism, connections whereby movement of said idle gear element will automatically control the stop and start mechanism, a trigger carried by the power element and adapted when in operative position to engage the idle element to operate the latter by the power element, a trigger wheel having a yielding connection with the power wheel and adapted to normally rotate therewith, means on said wheel to operate the trigger to engage the idle gear element when said wheel is moved relatively to the power wheel, a friction means adapted when under tension to normally retard the trigger wheel with respect to the power element for the actuation of the trigger, a thread imperfection detector including a member mounted for swinging movement through engagement of an imperfection in the moving thread, a lever operated by said swinging movement, and a connection between said lever and friction means to retard the trigger wheel in the operation of the lever.

11. A power control means for sewing machines, including a continuously operated power element, an idle gear element, stop and start mechanism, connections whereby movement of said idle gear element will -znitomatically control the stop and start- Vmechamsm, a trigger carried by the power element and adapted when in operative position to engage the idle element to operate the latter by the power element, a trigger wheel having a yielding connection with the power wheel and adapted to normally rotate therewith, means on said trigger wheel to operate the trigger to engage the idle gear element when said. trigger wheel is moved relatively to the power wheel, a friction means adapted when put under resistance to normally retard the trigger wheel with respect to the power element for the actuation of the trigger, a thread imperfection detector including a member mounted for swinging movement through engagement of an imperfection in the moving thread, a lever operated by said swinging movement, a connection between said lever and friction means to retard the trigger wheel in the operation of the lever, an automatic means to cause the release of the defect in the thread from its contact with the detector immediately following the swinging movement thereof under a thread imperfection.

12. In a thread imperfection detect-or, a continual power driven element, a normally 30 prising a chine a separate power driven element, a

disconnected element adaptedto coact with the power driven element, a thread using machine adapted to be manuallythrown in and out of power, means for causing a dein the detector, and means, whereby the said detector movement causes a connectionto be made between the power drivenelement and the normally disconnected element to disconnect the manual control element from the control of the operator." r i i 13. In a thread imperfectiondeteetor, a continual power driven element, normally disconnected element adapted to cooperate with the power driven element, a manually controlled means adapted to start and stop the threadusing means without correspondingly affecting the continual power driven element, means whereby a defect in the 320 thread causes a' thread detector movement,

' and means whereby said; threadudetector movement causes a connection to be made between the power driven element andthe normally disconnected element to cause the latterto disconnect the thread using means mechanism for actuation.

a 15. In an automatic StOp 1Tl6 Clfl%lIl1SII1 of a thread using machine, a separatelpower" driven element, a stop-element, a' manually operable member to hold the stop element from actuation, and means controlled by a thread defect and operated by the separate power element to disconnect the stop mechanism from the manually operable means. 16. In athread using machine, a stop memfeet in the thread toeompel a movement mechanism for the machine, andjmeans" separateipower element to release the stop y 18. A stop mechanismsfor thread using machines, controlledby a thread defect, and

comprising a separate eontinuouslydriven power element, a stop mechanism for the machine, and means eontrolledby thread defeet to cause said poweinelement to actuate 5 a the stop mechanism, to thereby cause said stop mechanism tostopthe machine.

19. In a thread using machine,,a stop member, manual starting means, a connection for normally connecting the stop. member and manual starting means, a separatecontinw ously driven power element, and means con-p trolled by. a thread defect tocause the separate continuously driven power element to operate said connection for the releaselof the; stop member. i A a i 20. A stop'mechanism for thread using ma chines,'eomprising a separate continuously driven power element, means controlling the 7 starting and stopping of the machine, a manually M operable device connected to actuate said means for starting the machine, andmechanismactuated by the separate continuously driven power elementand controlled by athread defect to disconnect the manually operable device' from said means, where by to freethe means for stopping movement. 21.111 an automatic thread defect stopping mechanism, a separate coritinuouslyop erated power driven element, a power driven thread using mechanism, means for manually connecting the thread usingmechanism for ower operation thereof, and means con trolled by a thread defect and actuated bythe separate continuously operated power'driven element 1 for disconnecting the manual means in its powe'rcontrol of the thread using mechanism, whereby the thread using mechanism. is free of themanual control. l r A :22. A thread using machine, a start and stop mechanism therefor, a separate contine uously driven power element, manually operable means for said mechanism to aetuatethe 65 withdrawalof saidconnector.

her, a. separate continuously'operated power, element, manually operable starting means, a connector between said starting means and stop element to hold the stop element in release position in the actuation of the startmg means, and mechanism operated by a thread a defect to cause the separate cont nuously. operated power element to withdraw the con-V nector from cooperation with the stop means. 17. In a threadusing machine, astop memoer, a separate continuously operated power element, manually operablestarting means, a connector between'said starting means and stop element to hold the stop element in'releaseposition in the actuation of the starting means, andmechanism operated by a thread- 7 defect to cause the separate continuous y operated power element to withdraw the connector from cooperation with the stop means,

and a spring for actuating the stop means on same for starting saidmachinqmeans for actuating said mechanism when released from: said a manually operable means for. stopping the machine, and (means controlled by a thread defeetto cause the separateeont-inu- I ously. driven power. element to release the start and stop mechanism for machine stopping movement. F i 7 i 23, In athread using machine, a stop mechanism, a separate continuously'drivenpow er element, a-thread guideoperable under thread imperfection, a trip mechanism actuated in the operation. of the thread guide, and means controlled by the tripmechani'sm to cause the, separatecontinuously drivenpower;

to releasethe stop mechanism for actuated in the operation of the thread guide, a separate continuously driven power element, and means controlled by the trip mechanism to utilize the separate continuously driven element to release the stop motion from the manual control.

25. In a thread using machine, a stop motion, a separate continuously driven power element, manually operable means to actuate the stop motion to start the machine, means to cause said stop motion to become effective when released from the manually operable means, a thread guide operable through thread imperfection, and a trip mechanism normally set for operation and released for operation in the movement of the thread guide, said trip mechanism utilizing the sepa rate continuously driven power element to release the stop motion from the manually operable means.

26. In a thread using machine, a stop motion, a separate continuously driven power element, a manually operable means for controlling the stop motion, release mechanism designed for actuation by the separate continuously driven power element to release the stop motion control by the manually operable means and means actuated by a thread imperfection to position the release mechanism for actuation by the separate continuously driven power element.

2?. In a thread using machine, including a stop motion, a power driven element manually operable means for controlling said stop motion, a stop motion release including a pawl to engage the power driven element for actuation of said release, means for automatically disengaging the pawl following a predetermined movement of said release, a thread guide movable under thread imperfection, and means released by the operation of the thread guide to actuate the stop motion release. 7

28. In a thread using machine, a stop motion, a manually operable element, an interlocking bar normally connecting the manual ly operable element and stop motion, a separate continuously driven power element, a thread guide operable by thread imperfection, a trip mechanism released in the move ment of the thread guide, and means operated by the trip mechanism to cause the separate continuously driven power element to actuate the interlocking bar to release the stop motion from the manually operable element.

29. In a thread using machine, a stop motion, a manuallyoperable element, an inter locking bar normally connecting the manually operable element and stop motion, a separate continuously driven power element, a thread guide operable by thread imperfection, a trip mechanism released in the movement of the thread guide, and means operated by the trip mechanism to cause the separate continuously driven power element to actuate the interlocking bar to release the stop motion from the manually operable element, said interlocking bar being released from the separate continuously driven power element following a predetermined movement thereof.

30. A power control means for machines, including a power wheel operated continuously independently of the operation of the machine, a member acting when operated to control the operation of the machine, an element for operating said member, and casual ly operated means whereby the element may be connected to and operated by the power wheel, said casually operated means includ ing a trigger wheel normally operated by and with the power wheel, a casually operated device to govern the trigger wheel, and means responsive to the movement of the trigger wheel under the control of the casually operated device to connect the power wheel and element and thereby compel operation of said member for the government of the operation of the machine, said last named means being normally inactive and being automaticah ly restored to normal position following a limited operation.

31. A power control means for machines, including a power wheel operated continuously independently of the operation of the machine, machine control mechanism, a member acting when operated to govern said control mechanism, a normally idle element servin when actuated to operate the member, and casually operated means for actuating said normally idle element, said casually operated means including a trigger wheel normally actuated by and with the power wheel, a casually operated device for governing the movement of the trigger wheel independently of the power wheel, and means carried by the power wheel and operative by the trigger wheel under the influence of the casually operated device to connect the power wheel and normally idle element and thereby compel operation of said member to govern said control mechanism, said last named means being normally free of cooperation with the idle element and being automatically restored to such normally free position following a limited active cooperation thereof with the normally idle element.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si nature.

HENRY o. MIIilLER. 

